Funding for this research has been provided through the Newton Global Research Partnership in Aquaculture, representing the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) India, the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences and the Economic and Social Research Councils (BBSRC and ESRC), the Newton-Bhabha Fund and UK Aid.

Our project developed from an initial ‘Sandpit’ event that was held in Kerala, India between 23rd – 27th February 2015. The purpose of this sandpit was to develop trilateral, multidisciplinary research proposals to address research challenges underpinning the development of aquaculture for food security, development and poverty reduction in developing countries.

The sandpit and our project is being part-funded by the Newton Fund, an initiative intended to strengthen research and innovation partnerships between the UK and emerging knowledge economies. The Fund forms part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment which is monitored by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). ODA funded activity focuses on outcomes that promote the long-term sustainable growth of countries on the OECD Development Assistance Committee list. Newton Fund countries represent a sub-set of this list.